Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro confirmed on Wednesday (12/3) that he had a phone conversation with his US counterpart Donald Trump about ten days ago, amid the ongoing crisis between the two countries.
Maduro: reveals he had a “cordial conversation” with Trump
Maduro described the conversation as one conducted with «respect» and characterized as «cordial». As he stated on public television: «I spoke with US President Donald Trump. I can say that the conversation was conducted in a tone characterized by respect and I can also say it was cordial». The Venezuelan president also mentioned ongoing processes to establish dialogue with «respect» between the governments of both states.
«I’ll go further (…) If this call means we’re taking steps toward respectful dialogue, state to state, dialogue is welcome, diplomacy is welcome, because we always seek peace», he added. The American president acknowledged the communication on Sunday, confirming a press report.
“Beyond” pressure campaign
When asked Wednesday by a reporter in the Oval Office about the effectiveness of the «pressure campaign» against President Maduro, Donald Trump responded that «it’s not a pressure campaign, we’re beyond that, I think?».
«I had a brief discussion with him, I told him a few things. We’ll see what happens», he added. When asked if he had spoken with Maduro again after the initial conversation, he denied rumors circulating in Washington: «no, I didn’t».
The confirmation of the conversation between the two presidents comes as the US has dramatically increased pressure on Venezuela, deploying strong military assets in the Caribbean, launching airstrikes against vessels that Washington claims were carrying drugs, with notifications for air transport and repeated references to strikes on Latin American soil.
Maduro said yesterday that «about 10 days ago the White House called the Miraflores Palace (the Venezuelan presidency) and I had a phone conversation with President Donald Trump».
“Diplomatic prudence”
«I learned, during the six years I was Foreign Minister» under his mentor Hugo Chávez (2006-2012), that «diplomatic prudence» is necessary, said Maduro. «I like prudence. I don’t like microphone diplomacy. When it comes to important issues, (negotiations) must be conducted quietly, until they are completed», he also mentioned. Then, the former trade unionist, speaking in English, repeated that he wants diplomacy and «never war».
Donald Trump accuses the Venezuelan government and personally his counterpart Maduro of being involved in drug trafficking that floods the US. Caracas denies this· it argues that Washington’s real objective is regime change to get its hands on the massive oil reserves of the Latin American state.
A sign of warming relations, or simply implementing pre-existing agreements? Yesterday, an aircraft with 266 migrants deported by US authorities arrived at Caracas airport, despite President Donald Trump saying over the weekend that Venezuelan airspace should be considered «completely closed».
US authorities had announced that such flights were suspended, Foreign Minister Iván Gil told reporters, who was present during the landing. But «a few days ago» they requested a new flight be conducted and President Maduro gave his approval «without delay», he added.
This was the 76th flight from the US and the 95th if repatriations by air from Mexico are included. Since the beginning of 2025, 18,354 Venezuelan citizens have been repatriated, 14,407 from the US.
Source: APE-MPE
